In today’s fast-paced world, making extra cash on the go has never been easier.
Whether you’re looking to pad your savings, pay off a bill, or fund your next adventure, apps that pay you real money instantly can be a game-changer.
Imagine getting rewarded for completing simple tasks, playing games, or even shopping online. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not!
This guide dives into the best apps that actually deliver on their promises—no fluff, no scams, just straight-up earning potential.
From instant cash rewards to PayPal transfers, these apps are tested, trusted, and designed to help you start earning real money right away. Let’s explore the top picks that can put cash in your pocket today.
Get ready to download, earn, and cash out!
1. Swagbucks – Turn Spare Time Into Cash + $10 Bonus
Swagbucks is one of the best money-making apps to make some extra money in your free time. As a new member, you start earning right away and cash out quickly. Swagbucks is known for giving out fun, top-paying surveys. And you can also get paid to play games and watch TV!
Other ways you can make money with Swagbucks outside of surveys are its cash back program for online shopping, get paid for searching the web, and watching videos. Many Redditors claim you can make $10 fast in a day by using Swagbucks's trivia game (Swagbucks LIVE) to answer questions for money.
Swagbuck has an A rating with the BBB and over 20 million active users because this app really pays you real money. Swagbucks is conveniently offering a $10 bonus just for signing up through this link, so act fast.
- 18 ways to earn money and e-gift cards
- $10 sign up bonus
- Up to 10% cashback when shopping online
- $1 minimum e-gift card withdrawal
2. DoorDash – Be Your Own Boss and Earn Instantly
DoorDash is looking for people who want to start delivering food to earn extra money and work on their own schedule.
You choose the hours you work and get paid cash per order (once you have access to fast pay). Rates will vary by location.
Once you sign up to become a dasher, DoorDash will reach out about an orientation.
Complete the orientation, and you’re on your way towards getting paid for every completed delivery PLUS 100% of tips received.
This is such an easy way to make money by delivering on your free time while making extra cash and funding your personal goals.
- Choose your own flexible working hours
- Earn up to $25 per hour during peaks
- Get $150 when you refer a friend to join
- You get to keep 100% of all customer tips
Taking online surveys to make extra money is a no-brainer! You definitely won’t be able to pay off your entire student loans alone with surveys, but you won’t waste much time, and you can make some money the easy way.
Here is my favorite (and highest-paying) survey site:
Survey Junkie: This is a free survey app for your phone that pays you to take online surveys, participate in focus groups, and try new products. And, I really mean free all around – free to join and they don’t charge anything to be a member (they will actually pay you in cash via PayPal).
You can get a free registration bonus for free when you join through this link.
- $1-$3 average earnings per survey
- Extra points if you're screened out of survey
- Additional ways to earn up to $100
- Install Survey Junkie extension for bonus
4. InboxDollars – Get Paid to Watch Videos + $5 Bonus
The next money-making app you can sign up for InboxDollars which pays you with cash prizes to watch fun videos & take surveys and they'll also give you a $5 free bonus just to give it a try.
By spending just 5-10 minutes per day on this (either on your lunch break or during TV commercial breaks) you can earn and save an extra $50/month.
More people should be using this app that pays real money.
5. Rakuten – Shop Smart and Earn $30 Cash Back
You'd be silly not to get cash-back for items you would have bought anyway. You can do this by shopping online with Rakuten.
Rakuten is another money-making app that has an app, browser extension, and a cash back website that doles out cash if you use it before checking out at a store or while online shopping. It has over 2,500+ stores it works with to help you get cash back on items you would have bought any way.
Rakuten is my favorite way to make money when I shop online and right now they are offering a $30 sign up bonus through this link. Every time you shop online, start at Rakuten and then get cash back deposited into your PayPal account.
- You can earn American Express Membership Rewards Points instead of cash back
- New users can earn a $10 welcome bonus
- Offers at over 3,500 online stores
- You can activate savings, then shop and save on in-store purchases
6. Fetch Rewards – Scan Receipts and Earn Fast + $3 Bonus
Fetch Rewards is a mobile rewards app that pays you for shopping (from any store) and makes earning extra cash as easy as snapping a picture.
Simply upload your receipt to the app after every shopping trip and earn points instantly. Unlike other apps, Fetch works with almost any store and rewards you for what you already buy.
Redeem your points for gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon and Starbucks.
You can even earn bonus points by purchasing from Fetch’s partner brands. Sign up today and turn your everyday receipts into rewards!
7. Nielsen – Earn $60 Passively by Sharing Your Internet Data
Nielsen pays you to share your internet usage data, making it one of the easiest ways to earn passive income.
Simply install the Nielsen app on your devices, and it works quietly in the background.
There’s nothing else you need to do—just go about your day and earn rewards effortlessly.
As a thank-you for your participation, Nielsen offers bonuses like gift cards and even sweepstakes entries.
You can earn up to $60 a year without lifting a finger. Start earning passively today with Nielsen!
- Earn $60 a year just by installing an app
- Earn up to $1000 from sweepstakes
- 15 different types of rewards, including TVs
- Win up to $500 by downloading PC app
8. Mistplay – Get Paid to Play Mobile Games
We all heard the old saying “time is money” right?
Instead of playing games on your phone like everyone else and feeling bad for wasting your time — now you can get paid for it.
Getting paid for playing games sounds like a dream. But if you download a free new app, and then download games from it and play, you earn money.
As you level up you can earn more money for cash rewards or gift cards.
This is a great opportunity for those looking to get paid for something they enjoy, like winning free gift cards and cash for playing games. I use it and it is legit and has over 35,404 positive reviews in the Google Play store.
I downloaded the app (available on Google Play) and have been using it for three weeks now and have already cashed out two $10 gift cards!
You'll likely earn $10 this month by using this gaming app. If you’re interested, I recommend you download the app from the Google Play store for free by clicking here.
Need Money Now?
If you actually need cash right now, then you can opt for a personal loan. When you need money in a hurry ZippyLoan is where to go.
You apply for a loan through the ZippyLoan site, if approved they send your loan application to one of many loan providers.
You review the loan details and e-sign if you like what you see. No risk in checking what offers you'll get. You can borrow between $100 and $15,000 as soon as tomorrow.
Loans service for up to 60 months.
ZippyLoan connects borrowers to lenders through their network of lenders. They'll find you the lowest interest rate and is one of the best no credit check loans. You can visit ZippyLoan here.
- Borrow between $100 and $15,000 as soon as tomorrow
- No credit check
- Good option if you have bad credit
